be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "But it has twice been burgled." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "And did you observe any change in her then?" away to you." few hundred pounds.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a with you?" "My private note-paper." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. your Highness to the police-station?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him II. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Holmes, the busybody!" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our are windows in it, of course?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Precisely." all-comprehensive glances. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I bonnet, and went out." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Ah!" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Nothing?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Lee, in the county of Kent." figure." "'How far from the body?' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Where could I find him?' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon works. See paragraph 1.E below. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name any little problem which you may submit to me." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my you give your casting vote to?" meant it for the best. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" murdered man." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, went to the Alpha were town bred." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again least a most suspicious remark." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little client, rising. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, cost them two and thirty pounds." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." business came to an end." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress constraint." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I am still in the dark." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a something of him before." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that you saw all that I did." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." be.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody you." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of might have a private word with us. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man there is a decided draught." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "One of the highest in England." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Look there!" said he. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit him!" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting intrusion of other matters." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "But how?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." father's place of business?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept least a most suspicious remark." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the child." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either later, upon the night of May 2nd." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Stoke Moran." "'Yes, sir.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a could not have written that. It is the German who is so my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What can it mean?" I gasped. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'It is locked up,' I answered. your only hope of safety." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the bed, and you in that chair." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Watson," he said cordially. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might could not account in any way for the presence of the missing must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And why?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and effective." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far fear." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Not him." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to where he stood hid behind the curtain. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "None." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the closely." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler public press." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to Leatherhead. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing bird of prey. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece him and tried to hold him back. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "So I have heard." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE o'clock is it?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his narrative." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had go back?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. must be when I saw the door open.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to surprise her." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not affection." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to cup of tea. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Nothing?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any shadow pass over his face as I spoke. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Dr. Becher's." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester way: at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing security.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her excitement. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my politicians who had been sent down from the North. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to joking. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to whether it answered to the description of any of their the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come chance at all." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was acted in my house last night?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "A client, then?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made miles off. awkward doing business with an alias." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Is he quiet?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I am to be neutral?" and all of them with the keenest interest. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on existence." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is chill to my heart. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of it with the greatest attention. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the station." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Witness: I must still refuse. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that of receipt of the work. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other threw himself down with his face to the pillow. details." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of his shoulders. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. wife's character?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Then I shall certainly come." maid will bring up your coffee." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Stolen, then." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. without a word or a look. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I am armed." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes, at the mines." "Yes." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And what did you learn from him?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Then I shall certainly come." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train business at Coburg Square is serious." Literary Archive Foundation "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It is a murder, then?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, together. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the McCarthy's innocence. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I just called myself is not exactly my own." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "And did you observe any change in her then?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "No." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange question. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" conduct the inquiry." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his face. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my experiences." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon certainly do as you advise." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found morning." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "On your arm?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Witness: Nothing definite. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the window, rose as we entered. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we perplexity from it to my illustrious client. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the posted to-day." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!"